Town are understood to have sent scouts to watch 20-year-old Derby County right-back Kieron Freeman in action in recent weeks. On Thursday, Blues manager Mick McCarthy confirmed that he is looking for another right-sided full-back with Bradley Orr having returned to Blackburn at the end of his loan spell.

Arnold-born Freeman, who prefers to play at right-back but can also play on the left, signed a two-year deal at Pride Park last summer having rejected a new contract with local club Nottingham Forest, where he came through the academy.

Since then the 5ft 10in tall defender has made two starts and six sub appearances for the Rams, although is currently a regular in their matchday 18.

Last season Freeman was on loan with Blue Square Bet Premier side Mansfield during the first half of the campaign and League One Notts County — with whom he made 18 starts and one sub appearance, scoring one goal - in the second.

Capped by Wales at U17, U19 and U21 levels, Freeman is a close friend of Blues full-back Elliott Hewitt.

After recently being called into the Wales U21 squad for their home friendly with Iceland, Hewitt said: “We’re mates and speak virtually every day. It will be good to catch up with him and all the other lads.”

If Town do firm up their interest, then Freeman is more likely to be available for loan than on a permanent deal, Blues manager McCarthy having said he could make further loan signings before the transfer window closes on Thursday.

Photo: Action Images

village_blue added 12:29 - Jan 27 Why bother with a 20 year old who has only made 2 starts when we have a similar player already in Hewitt, he has no more experience than Hewitt and we would only be bringing him on for Derby's benefit. Much better to play Hewitt and get him some experience in The Championship.
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Mark added 12:35 - Jan 27 A loan rather than a permanent deal, there's a surprise. To echo the last comment, what's the point of another inexperienced right-back when we already have Hewitt?
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tractorboy1961 added 12:50 - Jan 27 If the issue is Hewitt has no experience then surely the answer is to give him games. So what is the point of this type of loan? Hope this is just a rumour !
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strikalite added 12:59 - Jan 27 He's under contract at Derby, why would they let this lad go? To gain Championship experience right? This is the problem with loans between Championship Clubs imo and we're not building a side for the future also. Why are we still trying to build a side some three years later? Because of these stupid out of control loan deals...we'll never have a settled side, it's just a quick patch up job..

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mockerygap added 13:00 - Jan 27 "sent scouts" doesn't exactly mean "think he's an amazingly mature defender and desperate to get him in".
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bedsitfc added 13:10 - Jan 27 Can't see this being true, I can see Hewitt playing the rest of the season to build up experience for next season when we will be making a challenge to the top 6.
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algarvefan added 13:22 - Jan 27 bedsitfc I like your optimism but would that be top6 in the Championship or Division 1? I'd like to think we have the players and the skill to stay up this season, but somehow think we seem to lack the fight and the passion which has been absent for some time! February has some very difficult games and will in my opinion be cruical to which league we are in next season. Some of you may not like it, but it's the truth

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Michael11 added 13:28 - Jan 27 Like a lot of people are saying, he's just as inexperienced as Hewitt so what's the point? I think Mick is just trying to get to the end of the season as a championship club then do a complete re-vamp in the summer and stop all this loan nonsense!
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Tractor_Boy_in_HK added 14:16 - Jan 27 If Hewitt is ready, play him. If he's not, why risk our place in the Championship to blood him? If MM does not think he's ready, I'd rather have someone else playing at least until our spot in this league is confirmed. We can't play for the future with so much at stake today.
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jas0999 added 17:09 - Jan 27 Wouldn't bother with any more loans. Complete waste of time. May as well play Hewitt than another clubs youngster. Clegg and Evans need to sort it out and learn from previous mistakes.
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manualthetisfanclub added 17:44 - Jan 27 Can't believe this rubbish,agreed with others may as well play Hewitt than another like for like youngster! Got the feeling that we ain't gonna see anybody else come in this week tbh.will have to hope micks misfits keep us up this season and then ME backs him in the summer
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RetroBlue added 18:49 - Jan 27 The time for "eyeing" players is now long gone. We should be in there signing them up. The Club probably has FOUR days left to save its season and try get the players in that will enable us to pull away from this bottom three. If we fail to get in the creative players , I personally feel we shall be sucked back into that bottom 3 by the end of Feb. So its once again up to Mr Clegg to his job and sign up the players the manager targets. Can you do that Mr Clegg?

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Edmunds5 added 18:57 - Jan 27 Like a few others, I dont understand why we would do this when we have a full back just as good in Hewitt. I was impressed by Reece Wabara today for Oldham, I know we've had him before and he didn't really get played but his loan spell at Oldham expires in the next few days and we could do worse than signing him up, if he can do it against Liverpool then with the right motivation he can do it in the Championship.

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Talbs77 added 19:20 - Jan 27 WTF??! Getting a 20 year old in on loan when we have a really good prospect waiting in the wings who is clearly the future of the club. Don't know if I can take this story seriously, cant see it happening.
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coyb99 added 19:20 - Jan 27 if anything we need an experienced rb, as Hewitt is not yet an accomplished championship rb, but in time I think he will be.
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bluetractor73 added 19:22 - Jan 27 no chance mm said he wanted experienced full back to replace orr 20 year old doesn't qualify for experienced
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TimmyH added 19:31 - Jan 27 Yep seems strange to be looking at a youngster for the right full back position, surely if your going to put a player a head of Hewitt who has been biding his time for some sort of regular start you get in somebody (permanent or loan) with a bit of experience. C'mon give Hewitt some regular starts so we can at least judge where he is at the moment.
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muccletonjoe added 20:27 - Jan 27 Incredible ! We are looking at a RIGHT BACK , for goodness sake go for a forrester or odebujo at least it would show some ambition and foresight , something which has disapeared from marcus evans ipswich town . It really does boil down to signing better players or take these ones to division one , take your pick Evans.
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algarvefan added 01:23 - Jan 28 Having watched Oldham play, with not too much skill but tremendous heart and passion against Liverpool today it shows what can be done with the right mentality in a football club. It's not just about having the right players in the right positions it's about guts, pride and passion. So come on Mick lets toughen this squad up, we're in a relegation battle, lets get at it a bit more!!

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